Importing and Exporting Data
TackTracker race replays are created from GPS tracker data. The GPS data required is a list of locations each defined by a latitude and longitude coordinate and a UTC timestamp. This data can be sourced from GPS logging devices and downloaded to your PC, or from live tracking devices, which send their positions to the TackTracker cloud service.
Track Data
TackTracker can import track data from a variety of file formats, including the industry standard GPX. It can also export tracks in GPX format. A full list of all data import and export capabilities is provided below.
Tip
Although TackTracker can import GPX and other files, it is optimised to work with compatible Qstarz loggers. TackTracker has built-in drivers for these loggers, allowing it to read data directly off the device. This makes it much easier and faster to download data from many devices, and no third party utilities or software is needed.
Track Import from a File
To import a track from a file:
- If you have a Track Loader, Logged Tracking or Club Regatta license, open the Track Loader and click
Load Tracks from File
. - If you don't have one of the above licenses, click the
Load File
button at the top left of the window.
Supported file formats are listed below:
Format name | File extension(s) | Comment |
---|---|---|
QStarz CSV | .csv | Comma separated value file with the headings LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, DATE, TIME. TackTracker saves tracks in this format. |
GPX | .gpx | Very popular format developed by Garmin and supported by most brands of tracker |
NMEA | .log, .nmea, .nme, .nma, .sbp | TackTracker is primarily interested in the $GPRMC message. NMEA data is oubput by a number of brands of GPS tracker such as the GT-31. |
TackTracker | .ttx and .ttz | Contains a complete race definition and tracks. Created by the TackTracker app. |
VCC | .vcc | A data format used by older Velocitek devices. |
Track Export
Note
Requires a Track Loader, Logged Tracking or Club Regatta license for access to the Race Library.
You may have cause to export track data from TackTracker:
- Tracks are stored in CSV format and may be directly accessed from the Windows file system under
My Tracks
. - You may also export a track to GPX, NMEA or KML by right-clicking a selected track in the Library.
Race and Course Export
Note
Requires a Track Loader, Logged Tracking or Club Regatta license for access to the Race Library.
TackTracker can export an entire race to single file. The file is called a "TTZ" file and includes the race definition and all tracks.
Create a TTZ file if you wish to send a race to a friend with TackTracker. Export to TTZ is available in the Race Library right-click menu.
If you just wish to export the course, but no tracks, you can also export the course to a GPX file, which can be loaded into a wide variety of chart plotters and other systems.
Wind Data
Note
Requires a Track Loader, Logged Tracking or Club Regatta license for access to the Race Library.
You can import wind data from an external source into an event. This can make your replay more compelling in several ways:
- VMG to Wind statistics are more accurate
- Wind speed is charted alongside boat speed and other charts.
- Wind speed is displayed on the track plot alongside wind direction.
Tip
If you have only a handful of wind adjustments to enter, you can do so manually in the map. See Adjusting the Wind Direction.
To import a wind data file, right click on the event in the Library and click Import Wind Data
.
You will be shown an Open File dialog, from which you can select your wind data file. The wind data file must be of type ".csv", a comma-separated value text file. The following columns are supported:
Column Heading | Description |
---|---|
TIME | Local time in HH:MM or HH:MM:SS format |
UTC | Universal time in HH:MM or HH:MM:SS format |
BEARING | Wind direction in degrees. 0 is GPS North. |
SPEEDKNOTS | Wind speed in knots |
SPEEDKMH | Wind speed in Km/h |
At a minimum, either TIME or UTC must be provided plus BEARING. Speed is optional.
After importing the data, it will be saved with the race. So if you send the event to someone as a TTZ file, or publish the race the wind data will go with it.
An example wind data file might look like this:
# WindData sample
TIME, BEARING, SPEEDKNOTS
1:00PM, 180, 10
13:05, 185, 8
13:10, 190, 6
13:15, 190, 6
13:20, 195, 5
13:25, 198, 4
13:30, 196, 7
13:35, 192, 8